Crime and the economy have been persistent problems in The Bahamas for the past few years. There have been murder records four of the last five years and the unemployment rate is nearly 15 percent. As we approach the New Year, these issues appear likely to be the two dominant problems facing the administration in 2013.
Last week Moody’s downgraded the country’s credit rating from A3 to Baa1, citing weak revenue prospects in the face of ballooning debt over the past five years, in addition to the current administration’s continued spending.
“It reminds us why we must continue to be very, very proactive in direct foreign investment; why we must continue to look for opportunities to control costs; why people who represent workers and have to deal with the government must be mindful of the condition of the economy of our country, and why we must recognize that we are in this together and we must get out of it together,” Prime Minister Perry Christie said last week discussing the issue.
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) campaigned on being better able to handle the economy than the Free National Movement (FNM). It is easy to criticize when in opposition. Now in the seat of power, 2013 will be the PLP’s first full year of governance. Next year this time no one will accept the excuse that the cause of the problem is the FNM. Thousands of Bahamians who are unemployed will be looking to the PLP to help create opportunities for them. The party must deliver.
While overall crime was down six percent up to November 8, crimes against the person, or violent crime, rose five percent. This was led by an increase of 18 percent in armed robberies. While it is unlikely that there will be another murder record in 2012, the murder count is above 100 and will end the year not far from the 2011 record of 127 murders.
Former Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest has said the high incidence of armed robberies could be traced to crime rings and prolific offenders who are on the streets.
“It’s a result of these criminal enterprises,” he said. “The same groups that we’ve always been talking about. Until we get them under control and locked away we’re going to continue to have that problem.”
Despite numerous efforts, the last FNM administration was unable to significantly push back against the crime problem. The PLP has not found the solution yet either. Its defense is it is still early in its term. This, however, won’t be a reasonable defense much longer.
The FNM certainly lost votes in the 2012 general election because it had no success to present to the people after five years in office regarding crime. While the PLP is still basking in the pleasure of winning two elections, next year this time it will solely own the crime problem in this country if it persists. There will be no Tommy Turnquest to beat up on.
The governing party’s honeymoon period is coming to an end.
Editorial from The Nassau Guardian
